Transportation Engineering

Abrasion Value (Los Angeles) Experiment No 4

Object of the Experiment

To determine the abrasion value of a given aggregate sample by conducting Los Angeles

abrasion Test (ASTM C131, C535 and AASHTO T96 & I.S:2386 Part IV).

Theory

Abrasion is a measure of resistance to wear or hardness. It is an essential property for road

aggregates especially when used in wearing course. Due to the movements of traffic, the road

stones used in the surfacing course are subjected to wearing actions at the top. When traffic

moves on the road the soil particle (sand) which comes between the wheel and road surface

causes abrasion on the road stone. The abrasion test on aggregate is found as per I.S:2386

Part-4. Abrasion tests on aggregates are generally carried out by any one of the following

methods.

1. Los Angeles abrasion test.

2. Deval abrasion test.

3. Dorry abrasion test.

Los Angeles Abrasion Test

The principle of Los Angeles abrasion test is to find the percentage wear due to the relative

rubbing action between the aggregates and steel balls used as abrasive charge pounding action

of these balls also exist while conducting the test. Maximum Allowable Los Angeles Abrasion

values of Aggregates in different types of pavement layers as per Indian Road Congress (IRC)

for sub-base course a value of 60%. For base course such as WBM, Bituminous Macadam
(B.M.), Built-Up spray grout base course and etc. 50%. For surface course such as WBM, BM,

Bituminous Penetration Macadam, Built-Up spray grout binder course and etc. 40%. If

aggregates are used in surface course as bituminous carpet, bituminous surface dressing,

single or two coats, cement concrete surface course and etc. a value of 35%. If aggregates are

used for bituminous concrete, Cement Concrete Pavement as surface course than aggregate

abrasion value of 30% maximum.

Apparatus used

Los Angeles machine with inside diameter 70 cm and inside length of 50 cm. Abrasive charges

having diameter 4.8 cm and weight 390 to 445 gm. I.S Sieve with 1.7 mm opening. Weighing

Balance of 0.1gm accuracy and a Metallic Tray.

Fig 1 Abrasion Testing Machine Fig 2 Aggregates

Procedure

Clean and dry aggregate sample confirming to one of the grading (A to E) is used weighing 5 kg

of Aggregates for grading A, B, or C and 10 kg for grading C, D or E may be taken as test

specimen and placed in the cylinder. The abrasive charge is also chosen in accordance with

required test grading and placed in the cylinder of the machine. The cover should be fixed to
make dust tight. The machine is rotated at a speed of 30 to 33 revolutions per minute as per

design and rotated for 500 revolutions for grading A, B, C it shall be rotated for 1000 revolutions

for C, D or E. After the desired number of revolutions, the machine is stopped and the material

is discharged from the machine taking care to take out entire stone dust. By using a sieve of

size larger than 1.70 mm I.S sieve, the material is first separated into two parts and the finer

position is taken out and sieved further on a 1.7 mm I.S sieve. The original weight of aggregate

is noted as (W1) and the weight of aggregate retained on 1.70 mm I.S sieve after the test is

(W2). Two tests are done and the average value to the nearest whole number is reported as

abrasion value.

Table No 1

S. Details Test Number Average

No 1 2 Value

1 Weight of specimen W1

2 Weight of specimen coarser than 1.7 mm I.S Sieve W2

Los Angeles abrasion value % ((W1-W2) x100 (W1)) =

Result: The abrasion value of given aggregate =

 Table No 1 Grading of Aggregates for Deval Abrasion Test

Grading Passing I.S Sieve Retain on I.S Sieve Aggregate Sample

(mm) (mm) % age
20 12.5 25
25 20 25
A 40 25 25
50 40 25
20 12.5 25
B 25 20 25
40 25 50
20 12.5 50
C
25 20 50
12.5 4.75 50
D 20 12.5 50
10 4.75 50
E
12.5 10 50

Discussion

1. Explain the purpose of los Angeles abrasion test

2. What are the advantages of the test?

3. Explain the factor influence the abrasion value

4. Which types of aggregate gives better performance to evaluate the abrasion value

5. Define the practical utility of Abrasion test

Working Sheet
Sample Calculations and discussion